Live Updates: Kansas City Royals vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Game Two)

Royals look to clinch the three-game series with a Wednesday night matchup at home.

Jul 2, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (6) steals second base against Kansas City Royals second baseman Maikel Garcia (11) in the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. / © Peter Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

The Kansas City Royals (47-40) are set to face the Tampa Bay Rays (43-42) at Kauffman Stadium in what promises to be an exciting matchup. The Royals, currently holding a strong record, will look to extend their recent successes against the Rays, who are also fighting for a playoff spot. The Royals took game one on Tuesday with a 5-1 victory.

Michael Wacha takes the mound for the Royals, bringing a 4-6 record with a solid 3.91 ERA and 67 strikeouts. Wacha's experience and ability to control the game will be crucial as the Royals aim to continue their winning streak.

Ryan Pepiot will start for the Rays, boasting a 4-4 record with a 4.40 ERA and 83 strikeouts. Pepiot will be looking to stifle the Royals' offense and help the Rays secure a crucial road victory.

You can catch a glimpse of the action on Bally Sports Kansas City, Fubo TV and MLB.TV.

How It Happened...

FINAL — Royals 4, Rays 2.

Ninth Inning:

• The Rays threatened in the top half when Ben Rortvedt singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Taylor Walls flew out sharply to center fielder Kyle Isbel, moving Rortvedt to 3rd. However, Isaac Paredes grounded out softly to pitcher James McArthur, who threw to first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino for the final out. The Royals held on to their lead, securing the win with a score of 4-2.

Eighth Inning:

• In the top half, Randy Arozarena doubled and was driven home by Amed Rosario’s RBI double, making it 4-2. Josh Lowe walked, and Jose Siri flew out, advancing Rosario to 3rd. Richie Palacios, pinch-hitting, popped out to third baseman Nick Loftin in foul territory to end the inning. In the bottom half, Hunter Renfroe struck out, MJ Melendez lined out sharply to second baseman Brandon Lowe, and Nick Loftin popped out to third baseman Amed Rosario in foul territory, maintaining the Royals' lead at 4-2 heading into the final inning.

Seventh Inning:

• The Rays had a quiet top half with Jonny DeLuca striking out and Yandy Díaz also going down swinging. Ben Rortvedt walked, moving José Caballero to 2nd, but the inning ended with Jose Siri lining out to shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. The Royals added to their lead in the bottom half. After a walk to Maikel Garcia and Bobby Witt Jr., Vinnie Pasquantino grounded out, advancing the runners. Salvador Perez then delivered a clutch two-run single, bringing home both Witt and Garcia. Michael Massey popped out to shortstop Taylor Walls to end the inning.

Sixth Inning:

• The top of the 6th saw Randy Arozarena strike out, Isaac Paredes walk, and Amed Rosario grounding into a force out before Josh Lowe struck out swinging, ending the inning without any runs. In the bottom half, Hunter Renfroe struck out swinging, MJ Melendez lined out sharply to second baseman Brandon Lowe, and Nick Loftin popped out to third baseman Amed Rosario in foul territory, keeping the score at 2-1 in favor of Kansas City.

Fifth Inning:

• For the Rays, Alex Jackson struck out swinging, Yandy Díaz lined out sharply to right fielder Hunter Renfroe, and Brandon Lowe grounded out softly to first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino, resulting in a quiet inning. In the Royals' half, Bobby Witt Jr. singled and advanced to 3rd on Vinnie Pasquantino's single. However, Salvador Perez struck out swinging and Michael Massey grounded out softly to first baseman Yandy Díaz, leaving Witt and Pasquantino stranded.

Fourth Inning:

• The Rays' offense saw Amed Rosario single on a sharp line drive, but the inning ended as Jose Siri grounded into a force out and both Josh Lowe and José Caballero flew out to left fielder MJ Melendez. In the bottom half, MJ Melendez walked, but the Royals couldn’t capitalize as Kyle Isbel grounded into a double play and Nick Loftin flew out to center fielder Jose Siri.

Third Inning:

• The Rays had some chances but couldn't capitalize. After Yandy Díaz walked and Isaac Paredes reached first on a walk, Michael Wacha buckled down. He struck out Brandon Lowe and got Randy Arozarena to strike out swinging to end the inning.

• The Royals took the lead with a productive inning. Kyle Isbel singled and then Bobby Witt Jr. doubled to left, scoring Isbel to tie the game at 1-1. Vinnie Pasquantino continued the rally with a single to center, bringing Witt home and putting the Royals up 2-1. Salvador Perez walked, but the inning ended with Michael Massey lining out to center.

Second Inning:

• Michael Wacha worked around some trouble this inning. Amed Rosario reached second base on a throwing error by third baseman Nick Loftin. However, Josh Lowe couldn't capitalize and struck out swinging. Jose Siri grounded out to first, moving Rosario to third, but José Caballero's lineout to third baseman Nick Loftin ended the threat.

First Inning:

• Rays got on the board early thanks to Isaac Paredes. He launched his 14th home run of the season with a fly ball to left field, giving Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead. After that, the Royals' pitcher Michael Wacha settled down, getting Yandy Díaz to ground out to third and then striking out Brandon Lowe and Randy Arozarena swinging to end the inning.

• The Royals had a quick inning at the plate. Maikel Garcia started by flying out to right fielder Josh Lowe. Bobby Witt Jr. followed with a lineout to second baseman Brandon Lowe, and Vinnie Pasquantino ended the inning with a flyout to center fielder Jose Siri.

Pregame:

• First pitch is slated for 7:10 p.m. CT.

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